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Copyright, iSSS, by 
MRS. MARY H. FILLMORE. 






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ELL me, O fading Daisies! 

Drooping and dying to-day, 
What spirit of quiet enfolds you, 

Fading so sweetly away? 



You seem not like mortals who tremble 
At shadow of blight or decay; 

Fearful of leaving the sunshine, 
Fearful of fadino^ awav. 



Methinks the peace of the Autumn, 

As serenely and softly it fell, a^ 

While resting over the flowers, * 

Entered your hearts to dwell. 



It seemed from the bending Daisies 

A breath of perfume rare, 
And a voice like a brook's low singing 

Came on the dreamy air; 



'Tis not the peace of the Autumn, 
For Autumn is sad, to all: 

When the fairest flowers must wither, 
And the leaves in their beauty fall. 

I have felt in sadness of spirit 
The chilling breath of the air, 

And watched the soft tints fading 
From my buds unfolding fair. 



Oh! drearily have I listened 

To the sound, at evenfall, 
Of the Autumn wind's low sobbing 

Through the pale-hued poplars, tall 

But last night, when the sunset glory 

Was changing into grey, 
I heard a sound of music, 

Now near, now far away; 

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And I thought it the lingering echo 

Of far off vesper swells, 
Till rising clearer, sweeter, 

It breathed from the Lilj^-bells. 

Then the drowsy flowers of the garden 
Opened their half shut eyes, 

And rustled their leaves in a murmur 
Of questioning surprise. 

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But the Pans}^, with glad thoughts glowing, 
Said softly, " What joy is ours ! 

They are chanting a song of welcome 
To the Angel of the flowers!" 

Then a light of wondrous beauty 

Fell over field and lawn, 
Till the fading glow of sunset 

Seemed fairer than flush of dawn. 



And wonderingly gazing upward, 
Half in joy and half in fear, 

I saw the form of an Angel 
In shining garments, near. 

A garland of half-blown flowers 
Did the Angel's brow enclose, 

And I saw, as she floated nearer. 

They were buds of the pure, white Rose. 



Then a rapturous burst of music 
From the Lih^-bells arose; 

And, sinking to cadence tender, 
Died softly to a close. 

And the Angel smiled upon us, 

As she stood by the Lilies, near. 

And over the listening garden 

Her sweet voice sounded clear: 



^' I come to the earthly garden 
From the fairer one above; 
And I bring to each drooping flower 
A message of peace and love. 

" This morn the air was heavy 

With the burden of your sighs; 

Now, sweeter than Summer fragrance, 

Let hope from your hearts arise. 

II 



" Ye bloom to unveil to earth-life 
A glimpse of the life divine! 
Over each opening blossom 
A holy light doth shine! 

" And though with the dying Summer 
Your tender bloom departs, 
With soothing thoughts ye enter 
And live in human hearts. 



" And in their lives ye shall blossom 
Anew, in deeds of love; 
While holier aspirations 

Your ministry shall prove. 

" Thus, uplifting hearts that love you 
In yearnings for the pure, 
For the perfect beauty beyond them, 
In the life that shall endure: 

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" Enshrined in the souls of mortals, 

Ye shall rise where none may die. 
To bloom in the heavenly garden, 
The garden of God, on high." 

She ceased; and upon her rested 

The parting smile of Day; 
Then, unfolding her white wings slowly, 

Singing, she soared away. 



And Peace came to the flowers, 
As each one in the garden tells, 

When the voice of the Angel blended 
With the song of the Lily-bells. 

MARY HAWTHORNE FILLMORE. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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